On August 29, 2024, the Office of Field Activities (OFA) Diliman received a request from the UP Baguio Department of Biology to adopt the UP Diliman’s revised Academic Field Activity (AFA) Request Form as well as the Student Participation Agreement For Off-Campus Academic Field Activities. Outgoing Department of Biology chairperson Dr. Roland Hipol initiated the request to adopt the forms for off-campus academic field activities.
OFA Diliman facilitated the request by initially seeking clarification from Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Maria Vanessa Lusung-Oyzon about the adoption process. This was followed by an online meeting between OFA Diliman and the Biology team, headed by its new Chairperson Deign Soriano, MSc, on September 25, 2024. The meeting tackled the department’s request, the process flow, and other relevant information. After the necessary documents were forwarded by the Department of Biology to OFA Diliman, the office supported and favorably endorsed the request to Vice Chancellor Oyzon for recommending approval.
The Department of Biology’s request highlighted its aim to establish “documentary requirements for field activities in concurrence with existing guidelines under the CHED Memorandum 63 s. 2017.” Asst. Professor Soriano also remarked that the adoption would not only streamline the process but would also harmonize their procedures with those already established in UP Diliman. Chancellor Edgardo Vistan approved the request on October 16, 2024.
It is evident in this engagement that OFA Diliman does not only ensure the safe and relevant implementation of academic field activities in UP Diliman and its constituent units. OFA Diliman also proactively assists other institutions in the goal to elevate the standards of quality experiential learning.